Mount Oldoinyo Lengai

Ol doinyo Lengai (pronounced ol doyn-yo len-guy) is an active volcano in the Eastern Rift Valley, and it is home to the Masai God Eng'ai, who signals her wrath with eruptions and drought. The name means 'Mountain of God' in the language of the Masai people who inhabit this area. Ol doinyo Lengai is a unique and extremely fascinating volcano that towers above the East African Rift Valley in Northern Tanzania, just south of Lake Natron. It is located on the way between Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti and is part of many of our itineraries. Geologists are particularly interested in Ol doinyo Lengai because It is the only volcano in the world that erupts natrocarbonatite lava, a highly fluid lava that contains almost no silicon. Oldoinyo Lengai is also the only active volcano in this part of the Rift Valley, though there are many older extinct volcanoes in this region. The mountain rises a startling 2,886 m/9,469 ft above the parched Rift Valley floor.

Referred to as the strangest volcano on Earth, Ol doinyo Lengai earns its reputation when it erupts. Unusually cool, highly fluid lava produces a whimsical world of geologic fantasies that include extrusions frozen in flight. These natrocarbonatite flows have a chemical composition akin to laundry soap, and exposed to the atmosphere, the lava quickly hardens and decays. Unlike common basalt lavas, which are sticky with silica, Lengai’s lavas are mostly slick sodium carbonate with the viscosty of olive oil. Volcanic froth rich in carbon dioxide can spew into the air as liquid lava and harden in midair. Some of the big drops can form little parachutes, and look like silver flying through the air before hitting the ground with the sound of breaking glass. Lengai’s Dr. Seussian formations can crumble a day after they are born, and you can judge their age by their color. Even raindrops accelerate the decomposition.

Wildlife:There is little wildlife on this mountain besides small antelope, reptiles, and insects, but birdlife is quite extensive along the routes..

Sample Itinerary:

OPTION ONE: 3Days/2NightsDay 1: Depart Moshi or Arusha at 7.00 am and drive to Ngaresero village (Lake Natron) with packed lunch. This is about 8 hours driving. Dinner and overnight at Kamakia camp.

Day 2: At very early morning 7:00 a.m. drive to the base of the Ol'doinyo Lengai mountain to start the climb. Reach at the summit during sunrise and spend sometime there before coming down to the base of the mountain. From there clients will be transfered by jeep to Kamakia camp for shower and rest. Dinner and overnight at Kamakia camp.

Day 3: After breakfast then drive back to Arusha or Moshi. (This depends on the itinerary.)

OPTION TWO: 8Day PackageDay 1:Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and a company representative will meet you and drive you to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha for overnight stay.

Day 2: Breakfast. Drive to Ngorongoro crater. The crater host an estimated 30,000 animals on its floor including large herds of Buffalo and Wildebeest, Eland, Elephant, Hippo, Lions and the endangered black Rhino. Picnic Lunch at noon time at Picnic site. Afternoon game drives at the crater floor. The Ngorongoro crater is a true wonder of the world, famous for its sunken caldera formed over million years ago. The crater is inhabited in harmony by indigenous Maasai, their livestock as well as startling variety of plant, animal and birdlife spices. This is the only place in Africa where you stand a very good chance of seeing the big five in the course of either morning or afternoon game drive. Late afternoon drive back to fig tree camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Breakfast. Depart fig tree camp for Oldoinyo lengai via Selela and Engaruka. This is about four hours driving arriving at Kamakia camp (Ngaresero village) afternoon around 1:00 pm. After lunch have a rest at the camp. Dinner and overnight at Kamakia camp.

Day 4: Breakfast. Drive to Lake Natron for a short tour along the lake. Noon time drive to the base station at Oldoinyo Lengai and start climbing the mountain immediately. Arriving at the summit around 6:00 pm for dinner and overnight at the crater rim.

Day 5: Breakfast. Explore the summit of Ol'doinyo Lengai. There after descend down to the base camp of Ol'doinyo Lengai where the car will come to pick you to Kamakia camp. Dinner and overnight at Kamakia camp.

Day 6: Breakfast. Doing cultural program. This is the day to visit Maasai people to their homes and get more information about Maasai culture, Norms and their way of living. As a tour operator, I will give you some Kgs of sugar and tea bags as gift to some Maasai families and you will hand over the gifts to them. If time allows, you will visit Lake Natron to see the way Maasai women collecting soda from Lake Natron or you may decide to visit waterfalls instead of Lake Natron again. Dinner and overnight at Kamakia campsite.

Day 7: After breakfast. Drive slowly to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Breakfast. Drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport (if required).

OPTION THREE: 8Day Package

Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and a company representative will meet you and drive you to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha for overnight stay.

Day 2: Breakfast. Drive to Ngorongoro crater (HOME OF THE BIG FIVE) The crater hosts and estimated 300,000 animals on its floor, including large herds of Buffalo and wildebeest, eland, hartebeest, elephant, hippo, lion, and the endangered black rhino. Lunch served at noon time at a Picnic site. Afternoon game drive at the crater floor. Ngorongoro crater is the 8th wonder of the world and is widely considered to be one of the volcano crater wonders of the earth and home to a spectacular concentration of Wildlife. There after drive to Empakai crater for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: After breakfast. Walk/ride with donkey, donkey riders and Maasai Guides to Naiyobi. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 4: After breakfast. Proceed with walking to Mt. Oldoinyo Lengai Base camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: After breakfast. Start climbing to the summit of Oldoinyo Lengai. After lunch explore the summit of Oldoinyo Lengai. Dinner and overnight at the rim of Oldoinyo Lengai crater.

Day 6: After breakfast. Descend down to the base camp whereby you will be picked up with vehicle to Kamakia campsite for lunch and shower. There after drive along Lake Natron for sight seeing short tour. Dinner and overnight at Kamakia campsite.

Day 7: After breakfast. This is a full day of doing cultural program by visiting different Maasai families at their homes. Dinner and overnight at Kamakia Camp.

Day 8: After breakfast. Drive back to hotel in Moshi via Snake Park for lunch.